'We Have a Ghost'- Movie Review
(Spoiler Free)
Christopher Landon is known for his unique horror films that stand out from the typical cynicism of the genre. He sidesteps the trend of “elevated horror” by infusing his films with an infectious sense of joy, exemplified in movies like “Happy Death Day,” "Happy Death Day 2U," and “Freaky.” Regardless of one's opinion on their execution or overall quality, there's no denying that Landon has a blast while making them. His latest offering, “We Have a Ghost,” shines when Landon is allowed to let loose and be playful, eliciting smiles from the viewers. However, while his directing is on point, the writing falls short, resulting in a movie that drags on for too long with multiple endings and recurring themes that fail to build upon the film's promising ideas. Overall, it's a decent distraction on Netflix, but one can only hope for Landon to create a third installment of “Happy Death Day” before revisiting this world.
The film is based on Geoff Manaugh's short story, “Ernest.” The Presley family moves to a fixer-upper in Chicago, and the father, Frank (Anthony Mackie), struggles to keep a healthy relationship with his son Kevin (Jahi Di’Allo Winston). Upon their arrival, Kevin encounters a trapped soul named Ernest (David Harbour) in the attic, who has been scaring away inhabitants since his death in the '70s. Kevin, unfazed by Ernest, films him on his phone, and the footage goes viral. Landon fails to capitalize on the film's rich concept of a ghost's presence on social media, and the plot shifts its focus to a paranormal scientist named Dr. Leslie Monroe (Tig Notaro) and her CIA boss Arnold Schipley (Steve Coulter), resulting in a mid-section that feels like a chase/road movie.
The movie suffers from a lack of urgency, particularly in the final act, and repeats ideas before ending more than once. However, Harbour's performance, which could have easily turned into exaggerated mugging, is effective, and Winston shines as a future star with his natural and confident acting at a young age. While the film lacks the thrust that made “Freaky” and “Happy Death Day” so engaging, it's still a decent diversion that manages to avoid the dullness that plagues many Netflix originals.
Despite its flaws, "We Have a Ghost" is an interesting addition to Christopher Landon's filmography, which is known for its unique and quirky horror films that defy the conventions of the genre. Landon's films, such as "Happy Death Day" and "Freaky," express a contagious joy that is often missing in modern horror films, avoiding the pretension of "elevated horror." While "We Have a Ghost" is not as sharp as Landon's previous works, it is still a solid distraction that offers a unique take on the idea of proof of the afterlife.
The film is based on a short story called "Ernest" by Geoff Manaugh and follows the Presley family as they move into a fixer-upper in Chicago. Kevin, the son of the family, discovers a trapped soul named Ernest in the attic, who has been scaring away inhabitants since the '70s when he died. Kevin films Ernest with his phone, and soon the video goes viral on social media, leading to a series of events that involve a paranormal scientist named Dr. Leslie Monroe and her CIA boss Arnold Schipley.
The performances in the film are commendable, particularly David Harbour's portrayal of Ernest and Jahi Di'Allo Winston's confident and natural performance as Kevin. However, the film lacks urgency, and the final act feels repetitive and drawn-out, with multiple endings that do not add much to the film's overall impact.
Despite these issues, "We Have a Ghost" is still worth watching, especially for fans of Landon's previous works. While it may not be as tight or thrilling as "Freaky" or "Happy Death Day," it still offers a decent diversion that is enjoyable enough to keep viewers engaged. Overall, "We Have a Ghost" is a decent addition to the horror genre and a solid choice for a night of Netflix binging.
Overall, “We Have a Ghost” has its flaws but offers enough entertainment to keep both teenagers and their parents engaged throughout its runtime.
The film is available on Netflix.
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Comments (3)
Awesome review
Good work
Nice review..Keep it up